Match Report : 12/04/2014

Barry Ferguson picking himself did little to alter Blackpool's fortunes as they endured another fruitless afternoon, this time at Elland Road.

Two goals from Luke Murphy, one in either half, sealed the hosts' win to ensure The Seasiders edged further closer to the Championship trap door.

The gap now stands at two points due to results elsewhere, and Blackpool failed to create clear-cut chances throughout the contest in West Yorkshire.

It was The Seasiders who had registered the first shot of the game, but David Goodwillie's effort was weak and comfortably saved by Jack Butland.

And that had been the only shot on goal until Leeds took the lead on 21 minutes. Ross McCormack had held off his marker well, before slipping in Murphy, and after the midfielder had side-stepped Matt Gilks, he tucked the ball into an empty net.

The hosts now had their tails up, and it could have been two soon after when McCormack headed Scott Wootton's cross narrowly wide.

Blackpool responded with their first meaningful attack, as Tony McMahon's cross was headed just over by a toppling Neal Bishop.

Moment later Blackpool penalty shouts fell on deaf ears, before Michael Tonge's free-kick was smothered by Gilks at the second attempt.

However in truth is was a half of little quality from either side, yet Murphy's goal had the hosts ahead at half time.

Half Time: Leeds 1 Blackpool 0

Just minutes into the second half Pool had a glorious chance to equalise, but after Goodwillie had gone scampering clear, his cross wasn't ideal for Chris Basham, who prodded wide at the near post.

Next Andy Halliday let fly, but his near-post strike flew wide of the mark, before Stephen Warnock blazed over for the Yorkshiremen.

On 66 minutes The Seasiders made their first change, with Faris Haroun replacing Basham.

However five minutes later Leeds doubled their lead to kill the game as a contest, Murphy was again sent in on goal, and this time he lofted the ball over an exposed Gilks to make it 2-0.

The hosts were now well and truly in the ascendency, next McCormack was foiled by Gilks.

Andy Keogh then replaced Halliday for Pool, but when presented with an opportunity, the striker dragged wide, before Gary MacKenzie twice had headers come close for Pool in the closing stages.

McCormack, the league's top scorer came close to finding his goal in injury time, but his free-kick was palmed to safety by Gilks, as Blackpool left Elland Road empty handed.